Jun 10, 2019

USDA’s Ibach tours California’s Central Valley

U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach spent Thursday, June 6 in the Fresno area touring fresh produce operations and talking to industry members.

International trade pressures, combatting pest and disease issues, along with how the industry can continue to partner with USDA on a host of policy and regulatory areas were top subjects discussed during the day.

This is the Under Secretary’s second trip to the valley since being appointed to the position in October 2017. The USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory programs provides oversight over facilitating domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and ensuring the health and care of animals and plants. Departments included under this part of USDA include the Agricultural Marketing Service Agency and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Agency.

As part of the tour, leaders from United Fresh Produce Association, California Fresh Fruit Association, and California Citrus Mutual hosted Under Secretary Ibach for a number of visits including fresh produce companies HMC Farms, which grows stone fruit and citrus, and Family Tree Farms, which grows stone fruit, blueberries and cherries. The day was concluded with a reception and discussion with Under Secretary Ibach and leaders from the fresh produce industry.

.@USDA_AMS Under Secretary Greg Ibach joined us to visit produce facilities today in the CA Central Valley along with leaders from @CalFreshFruit & @CaCitrusMutual! He is seen here at HMC Farms. Learn more about the visit: https://t.co/Sg7wruPZCP #PowerOfFresh pic.twitter.com/F4I24za2I8

— United Fresh (@UnitedFresh) June 6, 2019

“Having key administration leaders such as Under Secretary Ibach visit with our industry and hear first-hand from our members is always an important opportunity for the fresh produce industry. We also appreciate having industry partners such as California Fresh Fruit Association and California Citrus Mutual join us and coordinate these events and thank them for their leadership in hosting the Under Secretary in the Central Valley,” said Robert Guenther, Senior Vice President of Public Policy at United Fresh.

“Under Secretary Ibach serves in a critical role at USDA for the fresh produce industry covering a wide range of policy and regulatory priorities for United Fresh and the industry. We thank him for rolling up his sleeves and hearing first-hand today from our industry about the key challenges and opportunities before us on a daily basis,” he said.